Legendary Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler was named a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the institution announced on Wednesday.
Stabler and offensive lineman Dick Stanfel were nominated by the senior committee, which virtually guarantees enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. There are some exceptions, but senior nominees are typically confirmed by the voters.
The honor is posthumous, coming roughly a month after Stabler died from complications of colon cancer. His death created a swell of support for his enshrinement, and likely led to this nomination.
[REWIND: Raiders legend Ken Stabler passes away]
Stabler’s death came as a great shock to Raider Nation and the NFL community as a whole because his illness was unknown to most outside his immediate family.